News

BROWN TO BE NOMINATED AS PC PRESIDENT

GERMANTOWN — Matt Brown, senior pastor of Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown, will be nominated as president-elect of the Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference during its meeting Nov. 14 in Chattanooga. Ben Cowell, pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church, Brownsville, announced his plans to nominate Brown on Sept. 7. “Matt is a dear brother with many years of faithful service in pastoral ministry,” Cowell said. 

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RECAP OF THIS WEEK’S SBC EXEC. COMMITTEE MEETING

NASHVILLE — While the anticipated next step regarding who will temporarily lead the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee in the interim period changed mid-way through the trustees’ meeting this week, trustee chair Philip Robertson plans to begin a new search right away. Recently retired Kentucky pastor Dan Summerlin provided this statement yesterday afternoon (Sept. 19) after alerting Robertson  on Sept. 18 of his decision: “Upon further reflection it has become

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CALHOUN FBC HONORS LONGTIME SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

CALHOUN — While some churches have gone from traditional Sunday Schools to small groups at nontraditional times and locations, Sunday School is still part of the strategy to fulfill the Great Commission at Calhoun First Baptist Church.  “This would not be possible without the dedicated teachers who study and prepare each week to lead their class/small group through a study of God’s Word,” affirmed pastor Toby Brogden. One such teacher,

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SBC EC ‘MOVING FORWARD’ DESPITE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES, HOWE SHARES

NASHVILLE — In a streamlined, soft-spoken and straightforward manner, Jonathan Howe, interim president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, calmly outlined the current reality facing the EC. Sharing the news during the opening plenary session of the board of trustees’ meeting, held Sept. 18-19  in Nashville, Howe called for a spirit of humility and unity from all Southern Baptists. ‘Distressing actions’ “We are facing significant challenges,” he said. “Over

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BARBER RECALLS ‘BOLD’ SOUTHERN BAPTISTS, URGES COOPERATION AMID TRIALS

NASHVILE — As the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee gathered on the night of Sept. 18 in Nashville amid economic challenges, ongoing conflicts and a barrage of troubling headlines, Bart Barber challenged trustees to “look past those who tear down” and focus on cooperation — and the One “who will go before us and give us the victory.” During his message, the SBC president reflected on how Southern Baptists have

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EC PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH TEAM SETS GOAL FOR CANDIDATE ‘ON OR BEFORE FEB. 19’

NASHVILLE — The team responsible for selecting a new president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee reported to fellow EC members during their meeting on Sept. 18, saying they are working “diligently and expeditiously.” Neal Hughes, chairman of the SBC Executive Committee President/CEO Search Team, outlined in the report the four phases into which the team has divided its work: The invitation phase, the interview phase, the

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CLOSER LOOK: WHAT ARE SBC EC COMMITTEES ALL ABOUT?

NASHVILLE — As the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee gathered in Nashville on Sept. 18-19, the group comprised of 86 trustees — which includes pastors, ministry leaders and laypeople representing 41 state and regional Baptist conventions from across the country — will work together in four smaller committees to address specific Convention business. While plenary sessions are “on the record,” media and others who attend the various committee meetings that

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CARSON-NEWMAN EXPANDS INTO MIDDLE TENNESSEE

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City and Mount Juliet Christian Academy in Mount Juliet have announced a new initiative that paves the way for the university to offer educational opportunities for those in the Nashville area this fall. The announcement was made Sept. 5 during a special celebration held on the campus of First Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, where the academy is located. “We are excited to be

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DAN SUMMERLIN TO BE NOMINATED AS EC INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO

NASHVILLE — A recently retired Kentucky Baptist pastor will be nominated to serve as the SBC Executive Committee transitional interim president and CEO this week in Nashville. The nomination of Dan Summerlin will be a joint recommendation of Philip Robertson, EC chairman, Jonathan Howe, current interim, and the EC officers. “Dr. Dan Summerlin is a proven leader with four decades of service at many levels of Convention life,” said Philip

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UNION EXPLORES POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

JACKSON — Union University welcomed a delegation from Bowen University in Nigeria earlier this summer, marking the initiation of a potential partnership aimed at fostering collaboration between the two Baptist institutions.  The contingent from Bowen University included Joshua Ogunwole, the vice chancellor (equivalent to president); Joan Ayo, the pro chancellor (similar to chair of the board of trustees); and Israel Akanji, the president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. Union University

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